Phillip Magness

Serving the Lord in West and Central Africa

Bio

Phillip Magness serves the Lord through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in French-speaking countries in West and Central Africa (Togo, Guinea, Congo—Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo—Kinshasa and Burundi). As a sacred music educator, Phillip teaches hymns, psalms and spiritual songs — and develops the musicianship of song leaders so that they are better able to teach, share and nurture music for worship. He is also working collaboratively with our mission partners on revising and adapting the French Lutheran Service Book (LSB) as well as setting the French catechism to music.

Phillip received a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas, Denton. He then received his Director of Parish Music colloquy from Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill. He serves a dual call as a missionary and as cantor at Village Lutheran Church in Ladue, Mo. Before serving in these roles, he was cantor at LCMS congregations in Oklahoma, Illinois and Texas. In addition, he chaired the Introduction Committee for LSB and taught workshops on the French edition of LSB in Congo—Brazzaville, Québec and Togo. He has also served on the LCMS Board for International Mission and been a guest lecturer at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane, South Africa.

Phillip’s wife, Cheryl, is the managing editor of the Synod’s official newspaper, Reporter. They have three children — Trevor, Caitlin and Evan — who go to school and work in the United States.

Prayers

Pray for Phillip as he serves in Africa, and ask God to keep him safe in his travels. Pray that many will put their trust in the Lord as Phillip teaches them to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Pray for the students who come to learn these songs and how to teach them. Ask God to give them wisdom, patience and creativity as they adapt what they learn to their cultural context. Pray that the relationships between Phillip and local pastors and musicians may continue to grow, and that their projects would achieve the Lord’s purposes. Let us give thanks to God that Phillip is serving His people in West and Central Africa.

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Additional Information

• Birthdays:
  • Phillip - May 31
  • Cheryl - July 23
  • Trevor - Oct. 3
  • Caitlin - Oct. 12
  • Evan - Oct. 29
• Wedding Anniversary: March 15
• Home District: Missouri

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